Hello folks! I just signed up, looking forward to hearing from you guys regarding this extremely common bush/shrub. I am a naturalist at heart and enjoy learning about new species. So, this bush I describe (no pictures yet) is quite a pain for me since nobody local seems to know what it is. Perhaps you can help? I will upload photos this evening if necessary. Here is the description: Extremely common on roadsides and hills facing the ocean. I have seen it grow 6 feet but is usually somewhat less. Evergreen almost triangular foliage. A few interesting points... It is compound in that the whole bush grows as though it is constantly trimmed. No one branch exceeds the others, grows almost like a ball in shape. The only foliage is within a few inches of the ends of the thin woody branches on the bush. This makes it look "dead" underneath. It covers itself in tiny white blossoms with purple stamens which both honey bees and bumble bees love. I see them everywhere In coastal Curry/Coos counties, I would even guess they are native but could be wrong in that assumption. Like I said, I can post photos this evening if you need them. Please let me know. :) Thank you!
Well, I am sorry to say that it is not Salal. It does not have an edible fruit on it and is actually very different in growth habit, foliage, etc. When I get home this afternoon I will post several photos. Thanks again folks!
Habit and leaf description sounds like a manzanita (Arctostaphylos sp.), but you'd thik if it were one of those you would mention the appearance of the main branches. And, like salal these are comparatively well-known and recognized by many.
Yes, sadly it is not Manzanita either. I can tell my written description is not much good. :) What do they say? A picture is worth a thousand words. I'll post some this afternoon. Thank you again folks!
Hebe odora (or similar sp.). Commonly planted up here, too. The extensive dead is due to the specimens seen being old and shabby. Younger, better-looking examples are leafy throughout.
Thank you Ron! You have done me a great service. That is exactly what it appears to be. It grows like a weed here, seriously covering acres and acres near the ocean and on the roadsides. Thanks again! And thanks to everyone else who tried to help...
